Johnny Weir officially retires + joins NBC as skating analyst

Weir announced this morning that he officially has retired from competitive skating. (He was composed when he made this announcement, but obviously -- and understandably -- felt emotional as he said it aloud to the world.)
And ... he will be a figure skating analyst for NBC for the entire season -- including the Olympic Games.

He made these announcements this morning in a brief live interview on the Today show on NBC.

The final topic of the mini-interview: The NBC anchors noted that Weir is a gay American, and asked him about the Russian laws against gays.
I'm paraphrasing Weir's reply: He affirmed that he will be on the ground in Sochi for NBC, noted that he married into a Russian family, and said that he wants to support those in Russia, and "to not be afraid."

(Can't help adding that Weir looked very classy in a double-breasted dark blazer with a colorful scarf knotted around his neck. ETA: No live skating from Weir this morning on NBC. The Today show aired a little b-roll of Weir performing on the ice.)

For those in other time zones who want to see the Today interview, it took place right after the 8:30 half hour started.

Hmm imiagining all the stories. This will be interesting but I have a feeling there will be other analysts as color analysts now has a totall new meaning. Will Johnny be the "standard" professional analyst or more like Dave Lease (note I am not not talking about gay flamboyancy but rather cattiness?). I think the Russian police will be careful about how it handles Johnny do they want all the press coverage and international glare with arresting a member of the American media? Will johnny conform to a uniform if NBC has them,will he add glitter, feathers and fur? Let the games begin - fashion and otherwise

Hmm imiagining all the stories. This will be interesting but I have a feeling there will be other analysts as color analysts now has a totall new meaning. Will Johnny be the "standard" professional analyst or more like Dave Lease (note I am not not talking about gay flamboyancy but rather cattiness?). I think the Russian police will be careful about how it handles Johnny do they want all the press coverage and international glare with arresting a member of the American media? Will johnny conform to a uniform if NBC has them,will he add glitter, feathers and fur? Let the games begin - fashion and otherwise

The NBC press release (link posted above) makes no mention of Hamilton and Bezic ... and the absence has me wondering whether Weir and Lipinski are replacing the veterans.

In corporate speak, a press release of this kind typically would say something like, "Our veteran analysts A and B will be joined by newcomers C and D."
Only my speculation, but because NBC did not word the press release that way, my hunch is that the era of Hamilton and Bezic is over.
Will be interesting to see whether they appear on NBC's Skate Canada broadcast on Sunday -- along with Weir and Lipinski, who definitely will be on air, according to the release.

Will johnny conform to a uniform if NBC has them,will he add glitter, feathers and fur? Let the games begin - fashion and otherwise

Forgot to add in my previous post:

Again, Weir looked very tasteful this morning. Conservative wardrobe and hair sans makeup. Nothing sparkly, no feathers, etc. He was not in his extreme fashionista mode at all.

Weir is no dummy, and I think he is well aware that the NBC gig is a terrific opportunity for him. On Today this morning, he spoke (again I'm paraphrasing) about wanting to be supportive of skaters and skating, and wanting to be an informative ambassador for the sport. I don't think that he will put the focus on "me, me, me."